EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – The Grand Jury for 2025-26 is wrapping up its year of investigations with findings and recommended actions on several cases.

Case #26-01 – Placerville and South Lake Tahoe Jails and the South Lake Tahoe Youth Treatment Center Inspections. The Grand Jury conducted annual inspections of El
Dorado County (County) jails at South Lake Tahoe (SLT), Placerville, and the South
Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center (JTC). The Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the Director of Human Resources to conduct a compensation study for Correctional Officers. The study should consider comparing with neighboring counties in State of Nevada to be completed no later than December 9, 2026. Their other recommendation is that the Sheriff, in cooperation with
the Director of Human Resources, develop a plan for recruitment opportunities to specifically address the application process, testing, training, and incentives for open
positions located in South Lake Tahoe by December 9, 2026.

Case #26-02 – El Dorado County Owned Airports. More than five years have passed since the Civil Grand Jury issued recommendations in 2020 to operate county-owned airports. Progress was minimal until 2024, when the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors moved the Airports Division from the Planning and Building Department to the Chief Administrative Office (CAO).  The Grand Jury acknowledges the County’s initiative to update policies and procedures related to County-owned airports, which the Jury said is commendable, yet concerns remain regarding the openness and effectiveness of its implementation.  The Grand Jury investigated recent changes to the Airports Division after its operations returned to the CAO as approved by the Board in 2024. Following the transfer, CAO staff promptly initiated updates to airport operations by revising existing ordinances and policies. Standards and procedures for airport users’ ground leases were updated to reflect policy changes. As a result, the Grand Jury investigated several complaints with concerns ranging from ground lease terms and insurance demands to inadequate representation and public outreach. 

Case #26-03 – El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury Website.  People invited to participate in Civil Grand Jury interviews are primarily referred to the El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury website for information about the process. What happens when the website doesn’t provide sufficient detail to address questions or alleviate concerns regarding what to expect during an interview?  The Grand Jury investigated. According to the report, the Grand Jury conducted a comprehensive review of its website to ensure content was clear and understandable to individuals unfamiliar with the Civil Grand Jury process.   

Case #26-04 – Mosquito Fire Protection District. According to the Civil Grand Jury report, the Mosquito Fire Protection District (MFPD) is in financial trouble, which may impact future operations. There is concern that a station closure could result in adverse consequences, including diminished responsiveness and reduced levels of public safety service delivery. The report also highlights areas for improved MFPD Board governance and provides recommendations to address them. The Grand Jury investigated the MFPD Board through site visits, interviews, and document
reviews. The report highlighted major deficiencies in the Board’s governance and finances, raising doubts about the MFPD’s long-term financial stability.  Among the recommendations, the Grand Jury urges the MFPD Board to seek help from the El
Dorado County Board of Supervisors and Local Agency Formation Commission to provide practical, focused, hands-on business and governance training for every new Fire Protection District Director.

Case #26-05 – El Dorado County Code Compliance.  Submitting grievances to the appropriate government department is a complicated process to navigate. The County of El Dorado falls short in providing a central website or phone number to direct complaints appropriately when it comes to construction-related grievances/ According to the report, increased development in areas of the county has presented a problematic environment for local citizens impacted by construction projects. Failure by County departments to enforce County Ordinance, policy, state law, and adherence to developer agreements is a failure to enforce the law. That failure benefits property owners who act unlawfully while denying the law’s specific protection to others. This leads to a perception of corruption on the part of County officials and general mistrust of the County.

Case #26-07 – Continuity and Response Compliance. The County of El Dorado had committed to hiring a qualified Chief Information Officer  with county-wide IT authority based on recommendations included in the 2024-2025 Grand Jury Report. At that time, the Board pledged to hire one by January 2026. The 2025-26 Grand Jury noted that the Board’s response was facially compliant but substantively inadequate. This Grand Jury concluded that to continue to act in the best interests of the citizenry of El Dorado County, it is essential to ensure that promises made are kept. The report, “Continuity and Response Compliance” Case #26-07 was published at https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Public-Safety-Justice/Safety-Justice/Grand-Jury/Reports-and-Responses/2025-2026.

Each Civil Grand Jury reviews responses to recent investigations and recommended actions based on findings of fact derived from the evidence and findings contained in published reports. While responses and follow-throughs were generally excellent throughout the County, some noteworthy exceptions required mentioning, according to the report. The Grand Jury may investigate city governments, agencies, schools, and special districts within the county.

The 2025-2026 El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury also tracked the creation of County Charter Amendment 504 (Section 504), approved by voters in 1994, through the events that led the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (Board) to extend its provisions to numerous job classifications, including seven key executive positions. According to a recent report, the Grand Jury found that voters did not intend Section 504 to apply to job classifications other than sworn law enforcement and that the Board’s additions were inappropriate and fueled mistrust in government transparency.

The Superior Court annually appoints 19 county residents as grand jurors to serve as citizen watchdogs over local government. 

If the current investigating jury deems responses insufficient, another investigation may be warranted by the succeeding Grand Jury.   

All report findings and responses can be found in the full report on the County website.  While it cannot force agencies to follow its recommendations, the Grand Jury’s written reports are a tool for change.

The Superior Court lists information about Grand Jury service and encourages citizen involvement. Anyone may ask the Grand Jury to investigate any issue within its jurisdiction. Visit https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Public-Safety-Justice/Safety-Justice/Grand-Jury